There is a Flaming Soul of Passion within each of us.
Nurtured and respected, She will light up your life,
illuminating every dark corner.
Ignored or repressed, She will burn down the walls that imprison her,
leaving nothing but ashes in her wake.
She will always find a way to leave her mark.
~ Dorothy Mendoza Row

“Innermost house is about 12 feet sqare, there is no electricity, no hot water, and yet my husband and I lead a life of luxury here… You enter timeless time here, and without the distractions of modern life its easy to forget about everything except the moment.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seven years ago Diana and Michael Lorence moved to a 12-foot-square home without electricity in the coastal mountains of Northern California.
They’re not back-to-the-land types- they’re not growing their own food, nor raising animals-, but, like Thoreau, they were looking for a place where they could get away from the noise of society and focus on their inner lives.
For nearly 30 years they have lived in tiny houses, often in guest homes, though their current abode is the smallest and most fitting their needs. It was designed by Michael based on their experiences living in nearly 20 tiny homes across the country before finally settling here.

“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
–Antoine de Saint-Exupery

So, Im going back to South Africa for the first time in over a decade in March and I’m curious to see if it grabs me, because I’ve traveled a lot already across the states and a bit of Central America and Brazil and still havent found that bit of land that just feels right… where I know I belong. I really hope it all comes together this year so I can start posting actual updates of the build on my blog!! How exciting would that be? An actual tiny house build! Maybe even a treehouse!

This year had a really rough start, you dont even wanna know, haha. But I still hope that 2012 has some nice surprises in store anyway. Going to give it all the best I have!

Reality is not fixed if beliefs aren’t fixed. If we stay open to all possibility, then reality becomes a receiver and manifester of the imagination, which then allows reality to reflect our deepest hopes and dreams…

One of the most magical sights on a summer day or early evening is that of the dragonfly. With its shimmering wings and delicate form it seems a creature from the land of Faerie, and it is a power animal which can help to put us in touch with nature spirits.

Dragonfly medicine is about the breaking of illusions, especially those illusions that prevent growth and maturity. Dragonfly is the bringer of visions of power. Flighty and carefree dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and activity.

Dragonflies and damoiselleflies live and breed near water. Therefore, they are found around ponds, pools, lakes, rivers, streams, even bayous or swamps. Access to running water is not only preferred, it is essential. Eggs are laid in the water and the entire nymphal (infant) period is spent there. As adults they take to the air. Those who find themselves overwhelmed by emotion and seek some detachment from their problems so that they can solve them can benefit from Dragonfly medicine.

Dragonfly medicine helps during a transition, or it may fortell a time of change. If uncomfortable with innovation, seek assistance from dragonfly, for such things are within its domain.

Dragonfly is of the dreamtime and the illusionary facade we accept as physical reality. The iridescence of Dragonfly’s wings reminds us of colors not found in our everyday experience. Dragonfly’s shifting of color, energy, form, and movement explodes into the mind of the observer, bringing vague memories of a time or place where magic reigned.

Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment, and the communications from the elemental world. This elemental world is made up of the tiny spirits of plants, and of the elements air, earth, fire, and water. In essence, this world is full of nature spirits.

Part of dragonfly’s medicine is its ability to play among the air currents and to dazzle others with light. However, its gift also carries an implicit warning; as master of illusion, those with dragonfly medicine should be warned not to fool themselves.

If Dragonfly has come to you, you may have forgotten to water your plants. On another level, you may need to give thanks to the foods you eat for sustaining your body. On the psychological level, it may be time to break down the illusions you have held that restrict your actions or ideas.

Dragonfly medicine always beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which you need to change. Have you put on too much weight, or have you started to look like a scarecrow? Have you tended to the changes you have wanted to make in your life? If you feel the need for change, call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation.

See how you can apply the art of illusion to your present question or situation, and remember that things are never completely as they seem.

Dragonfly teaches us how to balance emotion and mental clarity and control. Dragonfly medicine works in a two year cycle, so if Dragonfly has come into your life you can expect change within this time period. Dragonfly people need to honor their health by spending time outdoors in the sunlight near streams or lakes. Dragonfly also teaches us to see through our own illusions.

On a larger scale Dragonfly can cause you to question the illusion which you call reality, particularly that part of your reality which limits your ability to grow and create transformation in your life. Dragonfly speaks of greater dimensions of reality, and help us to travel to a realm of light color in which spiritual expansion is possible.

This power symbol is especially helpful for those who feel unable to grow spiritually and for those who feel blocked in their creativity. Dragonfly reminds that ordinary physical reality isn’t all that’s available to us. Its rainbow wings remind us that we can live in a world of magic.

People with dragonfly medicine are dreamers. They can be perplexing and annoying to others. The dragonfly person may appear almost schizophrenic as he or she rests (or hovers), absorbing light and energy for a time, and then flits off to a new project. As individuals, dragonflies have lots of nervous energy. Intermittently it is good for them to land and get grounded for a while.

(Source: http://www.birdclan.org/dragonfly.html)

I could easily self-destruct at this point… that would feel so easy and so right on with the path I’ve been following lately. But that would be STUPID. Ive been stupid for long enough, now its time to treat myself with dignity and respect and love and compassion through this time. I’m going to use this tremendous, overwhelming and powerful anger energy to lift myself out of these self-esteem crushing choices that have been way beneath my dreams and potential, and soar. Soar towards the mountains, soar towards my nest and make a home. I am done waiting. I am done hoping. I am done emptying myself. I am done suffering. I am done hungering. I can be done because I did did all of that through dumb choice not circumstance and none of it was worth it. Except for the experience.

No more! No more crying myself to sleep at night. No more half-assed excuses accepted. No more waiting around. No more half-hearted last minute salvage attempts. NO MORE CRAP ACCEPTED. I am ready. And that’s all it takes apparently.

Fortunately I’ve been here before so I know exactly what I need to do from here. Third time unlucky huh? No just third time stupid. hahah
Stupid stupid stupid.

Seven years ago Jérôme and Isabel purchased their tiny cottage and the land that sits on after finding it for sale in a free paper and immediately calling the broker. It’s located about 35 miles outside of Paris along the Loing River. The cottage doesn’t have electricity, modern heating or plumbing and the toilet is flushed the old fashioned way with buckets of water hand pumped from the local river. more…

(via tinyhouselistings)